Money bill, Climate change and heat on women

WHY IN NEWS?

The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions challenging the Centre’s use of Money Bills to pass significant amendments, including those to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Chief Justice Chandrachud agreed to list these petitions before Constitution Benches, addressing concerns over whether such amendments can legally bypass the Rajya Sabha under Article 110 of the Constitution. This follows a referral to a seven-judge Bench to determine the scope and legality of using Money Bills for non-financial matters.breitling breitling watches

SUMMARY OF THE NEWS:

The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions challenging the government’s use of Money Bills to pass contentious amendments, such as those to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which granted extensive powers to the Enforcement Directorate. Chief Justice Chandrachud has agreed to list these petitions before a Constitution Bench, following earlier references on the legality of passing such amendments as Money Bills, bypassing Rajya Sabha scrutiny. This raises critical constitutional questions about the interpretation of Article 110 and the scope of Money Bills in Indian Parliament.best breitling replica site

MONEY BILL:

• A Money Bill is defined under Article 110 of the Indian Constitution.
• It exclusively deals with matters listed under clauses (a) to (g) of Article 110(1), such as taxation, government expenditure, and appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India.
• It cannot include matters outside these specified financial areas.replica Rolex daytona

Procedure:

• A Money Bill can only be introduced in Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and not in Rajya Sabha (the upper house).
• After being passed by Lok Sabha, it is sent to Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. Rajya Sabha must return the Bill within 14 days, either with its recommendations or without them.
• Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill; it can only suggest amendments, which Lok Sabha may or may not accept.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 110 of the Constitution defines what constitutes a Money Bill and outlines the procedure for its passage.
• Article 109 deals with the procedure for the passing of ordinary bills and distinguishes them from Money Bills.

Judicial Interpretations and Controversies:

• The interpretation of what constitutes a Money Bill has been subject to judicial scrutiny.
• The Supreme Court has ruled on several occasions regarding the validity of bills passed as Money Bills, ensuring they conform strictly to the provisions of Article 110.

Examples and Current Affairs:

• Recent controversies have arisen over the passage of certain legislative amendments as Money Bills, bypassing Rajya Sabha scrutiny.
• Understanding these cases and their implications for legislative procedure and constitutional checks and balances is crucial.

Impact:

• The correct usage of Money Bills ensures efficient fiscal governance while safeguarding the role of both houses of Parliament in the legislative process.
• Issues related to Money Bills often highlight broader debates on federalism, legislative authority, and democratic principles.

PYQ:

Question (Prelims 2019):

   What is the correct sequence of the following events in the enactment of a Bill in India?

   1. Consideration and passing by Rajya Sabha

   2. Assent of the President

   3. Consideration and passing by Lok Sabha

   4. Circulation of the Bill

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    A) 4-3-1-2

    B) 4-3-2-1

    C) 3-4-1-2

    D) 3-4-2-1

Answer: B) 4-3-2-1

(Explanation: Money bills must originate in the Lok Sabha, and after passage in both houses, they are sent to the President for assent.)

Question (Mains 2018):

Explain the role of Rajya Sabha as a revising chamber in the passing of money bills but not a delaying chamber.

HINT: Rajya Sabha does not have the power to reject or amend a money bill. It can only recommend amendments which Lok Sabha may reject if it chooses to. The role of Rajya Sabha is essentially advisory in the case of money bills, ensuring that it does not delay the passage of such bills.

Question (Prelims 2017):

   Consider the following statements:

   1. A money bill passed by the Lok Sabha is deemed to have been passed by both the Houses of Parliament when it is returned by the President of India with or without his recommendations.

   2. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha must certify a bill as a money bill before it can be introduced in the House.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   A) 1 only

   B) 2 only

   C) Both 1 and 2

   D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A) 1 only

(Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because certification as a money bill is done after the bill is introduced in Lok Sabha, not before.)

WHY IN NEWS?

In recent news, extreme heat disproportionately affects women due to unequal power dynamics, gender norms, and limited access to resources, exacerbated by India’s 18th rank from the bottom in the Global Gender Gap Index. Rising temperatures in May-June 2024 set records across India, particularly impacting women in informal settlements with poorly ventilated homes and heavy cooking responsibilities, contributing to increased health risks and productivity loss.

SUMMARY OF THE NEWS:

Extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change, disproportionately impacts women in India due to unequal power dynamics, gender norms, and limited access to resources. They face increased health risks and productivity loss from longer hours in poorly ventilated spaces, exacerbated by urban and rural settings lacking cooling facilities and green spaces. This underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient urban planning, equitable access to cooling technologies, and fair distribution of caregiving responsibilities to mitigate the impact on women’s lives.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEAT:

• Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric patterns due to human activities, primarily greenhouse gas emissions.
• It leads to global warming, causing an overall rise in Earth’s average temperature.

Heatwaves and Extreme Heat:

• Heatwaves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather relative to the local climate.
• Increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves are key impacts of climate change.

Impact of Heatwaves:

• Health Effects: Increased risk of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular issues, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
• Economic Impact: Reduced labor productivity, increased healthcare costs, and damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
• Environmental Consequences: Stress on ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and exacerbation of wildfires and droughts.

Global Trends:

• Rising temperatures globally, with several recent years setting new records for warmth.
• Regions like South Asia, including India, experiencing particularly severe heatwaves with significant socio-economic implications.

Adaptation and Mitigation:

• Adaptation: Strategies to reduce vulnerability and build resilience, including urban planning for heat mitigation, early warning systems, and public health interventions.
• Mitigation: Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through policies promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable land use practices.

International Agreements and Initiatives:

• Paris Agreement: International treaty aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, emphasizing collective action to combat climate change.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 13 focuses on climate action, urging countries to take urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts.

GLOBAL GENDER GAP INDEX (GGGI):

• Published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the GGGI measures gender disparities in health, education, economy, and politics.
• It ranks countries based on gender equality, with higher ranks indicating smaller gender gaps.

India’s Ranking:

• India’s position in the GGGI has varied over the years but generally reflects significant gender disparities.
• As of recent years, India has been ranked around 112^th out of 156 countries (WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021), indicating a considerable gender gap.

Components of GGGI:

• Economic Participation and Opportunity: Measures gender disparity in income, workforce participation, and leadership roles.
• Educational Attainment: Focuses on literacy rates, access to primary, secondary, and higher education among genders.
• Health and Survival: Examines life expectancy and sex ratio at birth.
• Political Empowerment: Assesses representation in decision-making positions and parliamentary roles.

Impact of Gender Gap:

• Countries with narrower gender gaps tend to have higher economic competitiveness and better social development indicators.
• Gender equality is linked to improved health outcomes, higher educational attainment, and increased economic productivity.

Policies and Initiatives:

Countries employ various policies to address gender gaps, including legislation on equal pay, quotas for political representation, and initiatives promoting women’s education and health.

Challenges and Implications:

• Persistent cultural norms, stereotypes, and institutional biases contribute to gender inequalities.
• Addressing the gender gap requires comprehensive efforts across education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and political representation.

PYQ:

Question (Prelims 2021):

   Which of the following are the impacts of climate change on health?

   1. Increased prevalence of vector-borne diseases

   2. Increased incidence of heat-related illnesses

   3. Reduced air pollution

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    A) 1 and 2 only

    B) 1 and 3 only

    C) 2 and 3 only

    D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A) 1 and 2 only

(Explanation: Climate change leads to increased vector-borne diseases and heat-related illnesses due to rising temperatures.)

Question (Mains 2020 – Essay Paper):

“Climate change poses significant challenges to sustainable development.” Discuss the impact of climate change on health and economy, citing examples from India.

HINT: Candidates would need to provide a detailed discussion on how climate change affects health (such as increased heatwaves and vector-borne diseases) and the economy (through impacts on agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure) in India. They would also analyze the socio-economic implications and potential mitigation strategies.

Question (Prelims 2019):

   Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Montreal Protocol?

   1. It aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of ozone-depleting substances.

   2. It is a legally binding international treaty ratified by all UN member states.

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    A) 1 only

    B) 2 only

    C) Both 1 and 2

    D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C) Both 1 and 2

(Explanation: While not directly related to heat, the Montreal Protocol is significant in addressing environmental issues and has implications for climate change policies.)

Question (Mains 2018):

Discuss the causes and consequences of increasing heatwaves across the globe. How can governments and communities mitigate their impact?

HINT: Candidates would need to outline the causes of heatwaves (linked to climate change) and discuss their consequences on health, agriculture, and infrastructure. They would also need to propose mitigation strategies such as urban planning, early warning systems, and public health interventions.

Question (Prelims 2017):

What is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming?

    A) Methane

    B) Carbon Dioxide

    C) Nitrous Oxide

    D) Ozone

Answer: B) Carbon Dioxide

(Explanation: Carbon dioxide is the most significant greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change).